Photo courtesy University of Maine Presque Isle
The late Linda and Donald Zillman.
15 hours ago
UMaine Presque Isle gets $2.1M bequest from a past president
PROVIDED PHOTO
The University of Maine at Presque Isle received a surprise $2.1 million bequest from the estate of the late Donald and Linda Zillman. Shown here is James Munch, at left, executor of the Zillman estate, and UMPI President Ray Rice.
The University of Maine at Presque Isle has received a $2.16 million bequest from the estate of the late Donald and Linda Zillman. The gift is the largest ever in the school's history.
Donald Zillman served as UMPI president from 2006 to 2012 and served as dean of the University of Maine School of Law from 1991 to 1998.
The Zillmans were longtime UMPI benefactors and have given more than $3 million to the public institution over the last 15 years.
“Linda and Don Zillman believed deeply in the power of Maine’s public universities to expand opportunity and enrich communities across the state," said Dannel Malloy, chancellor of the University of Maine System.
“Their extraordinary generosity to the University of Maine at Presque Isle reflects their incredible affection for this special institution and a recognition of its essential role in improving educational attainment and cultural access in Aroostook County," he added.
Potential uses for the funds include scholarships, art-related activities and building improvements. Ray Rice, the school's president, said the gift came as a surprise.
Enduring legacy
During his tenure at UMPI, Zillman oversaw more than $4 million in renovations to Pullen and Folsom Halls, the installation of renewable energy systems, the addition of a state-of-the-art geographic information system lab, and the creation of a new-student scholarship fund.
Linda Zillman, a trained art historian, helped secure 153 original Andy Warhol photographs for UMPI’s Reed Art Gallery through a 2008 gift from the Andy Warhol Photographic Legacy Program.
Donald Zillman died on July 27, 2023, and Linda Zillman died on Sept. 4, 2025.
UMPI is one of seven University of Maine campuses and has an enrollment of 3,000.
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